The Ring Road system in Athens, designed to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution, operates by regulating vehicle movement in specific road zones. The implementation of these restrictions is expected to resume around mid-October, although the exact date has yet to be announced.
Previously, the Ring Road restrictions were in effect from Monday to Thursday, between 07:00 and 20:00, and on Fridays from 07:00 to 15:00. These measures do not apply on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, or during public transportation strikes.
- Even Days: Vehicles with license plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 are allowed to circulate.
- Odd Days: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are permitted.
Who is Exempt from the Restrictions?
According to recent regulations, the following vehicles are exempt from the Ring Road restrictions and can freely enter central Athens:
- Electric Vehicles: Purely electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and LPG vehicles.
- EURO 6 Vehicles: Cars classified as EURO 6 that emit less than 120 g/km of CO2 (based on the New European Driving Cycle – NEDC) and were first registered in an EU member state by December 31, 2020.
- EURO 6 Vehicles (Post-2021): EURO 6 cars emitting less than 145 g/km of CO2 (based on the Worldwide Light Test Procedure – WLTP) that are registered in an EU member state from January 1, 2021, onwards.
- Professionally or Resident Permitted Vehicles: Vehicles with a Ring Road permit due to profession or permanent residence.
Beneficiaries must obtain a special entry permit by using their personal access codes on TAXISnet, along with the vehicle’s license plate number and the owner’s tax identification number (TIN).
